Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 3rd, 2018 3:35PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Conditions are steadily improving, but it's not the typical Spring snowpack yet. Lots of great skiing out there, but steep terrain still requires an analytical approach. Take the time to dig and test before committing to big terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will be a mix of sun and cloud. Temperatures in the Alpine should climb to -8 Celsius with moderate westerly winds. Very light flurries expected for the rest of the week and into the weekend but accumulations will be minimal.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed today.

Snowpack Summary

Trace amounts of new snow in the past 24hrs. Both surface and buried wind slabs are found in the Alpine, but these are not widespread. In some areas the surface snow is exhibiting very little wind effect. Sun crusts on solar aspects remained frozen for much of the day due to cool temperatures and light winds. The March 15 crust is down 30 to 50cm on solar aspects, but has been unreactive for several days. The midpack is very well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for both surface and near-surface wind slabs in Alpine terrain. In some cases the buried slabs are well disguised by the low density surface snow. These slabs were formed during a switch from NW wind to SW, so they do exist on multiple aspects.

Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

The March 15th melt-freeze crust, buried 30-50cm on solar aspects, could be an issue on bigger slopes, particularly in the Alpine. Evaluate the snowpack for the presence/absence of this problem layer before committing to a terrain feature.

Avoid steep Southerly aspects.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 4th, 2018 2:00PM